WiFi Hotspots in Unserved Communities

Massachusetts and Local Linx Extend Wifi Hotspots to Assist COVID-19 Response

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech and Local Linx worked with local internet service providers (ISPs) to offer indoor and outdoor WiFi hotspots free of charge to unserved municipalities in western and central Massachusetts that lacked broadband access. This program was established in April 2020 for outdoor hotspots and in November 2020 MBI offered eligible communities the option to add an indoor hotspot to provide critical connectivity. MBI provided the hotspots until construction on each town’s project was completed. The program ended on December 31, 2022.

• Through this program, hotspots were established in the 26 towns listed below.
• These access points built off of the Commonwealth-owned MassBroadband 123 fiber-optic network. Each hotspot was established at one of the community anchor institutions (CAIs) connected to the 1,200 mile fiber network in 2014.
• Each of the communities listed below had a temporary 250 Megabit per second (Mbps) wireless hotspot, which allowed them to increase wireless broadband access for residents and students impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.

• Our thanks to Local Linx, town leaders and the ISPs – Access Plus, Crocker, Westfield Gas+Electric – for their help launching and maintaining these sites.

* Hotspots in these towns included an indoor location.

The Commonwealth’s Last Mile program has invested over $55 million in direct grants to close broadband access gaps in 53 communities. Learn more about the Last Mile Program and the status of each project.